Chapter 5 Vector Calculus

Chapter 5
VECTOR CALCULUS
5.1 Introduction
Vector Calculus, also known as vector

analysis, deals with the differentiation
and integration of vector field,
especially in the three-dimensional
Euclidean space. Vector fields represent
the distribution of a vector to each point in
the subset of space.
5.2 Differential Length, Area, and Volume
Differential elements in length,

area, and volume are useful in
vector calculus. They are defined
in the Cartesian, cylindrical, and
spherical coordinate systems.
5.3 Cartesian Coordinates
A. Cartesian Coordinates
1. From Figure 5.1, we noticed that the
differential displacement is given by
(5.1)
Figure 5.1 Differential elements in the

right-handed Cartesian coordinate
system
2. Differential normal area is given by
(5.2)
and illustrated in Figure 5.2

Figure 5.2 Differential normal areas in Cartesian coordinates:

3. Differential volume is given by
(5.3)
The way dS is defined important. The

differential surface (or area) element dS may
generally be defined as
(5.4)
where dS is the area of the surface element and

an is a unit vector normal to the surface dS.
5.3 Cylindrical Coordinates
B. Cylindrical Coordinates
Note from Figure 5.3 that in cylindrical
coordinates, differential elements can be found
as follows:
(1) Differential displacement is given by
(5.5)
Figure 5.3 Differential elements in

cylindrical coordinates.
(2) Differential normal area is given by and

illustrated in Figure 5.4.
(5.6)
Figure 5.4 Differential normal areas in cylindrical coordinates.

(3) The differential volume is given by
(5.7)
5.3 Spherical Coordinates
C. Spherical Coordinates
From Figure 5.5 we notice that
(1) Differential displacement is given by
(5.8)
Figure 5.5 Differential elements

in the spherical coordinate
system.
(2) The differential normal area is
(5.9)

(3) The differential volume is
(5.10)

Figure 5.6 Differential normal areas in

spherical coordinates:
5.3 Examples
Example 5.1 Consider the object shown in Figure 5.7.

Calculate
(a) The distance BC
(b) The distance CD
(c) The surface area ABCD
(d) The surface area ABO
(e) The surface area AOFD
(f) The volume ABDCFO
5.3 Examples
Figure 5.7 For Example 5.1

5.3 Examples
Solution: Although points A, B, C, and D are given in Cartesian

coordinates, it is obvious that the object has cylindrical symmetry.
Hence, we solve the problem in cylindrical coordinates. The points
are transformed from Cartesian to cylindrical coordinates as
follows:
5.3 Examples
5.3 Examples
5.4 Line, Surface, and Volume Integrals
The familiar concept of integration will

now be extended to cases when the
integrand involves a vector. By a line we
mean the path along a curve in space. We
shall use terms such as line, curve, and
contour interchangeably.
Line Integral
The line integral is the integral of the
tangential component of A along curve L.
Given a vector field A and a curve L, we define the
integral
(5.11)
as the line integral of A around L (see Figure 5.8)

If the path of integration is a closed curve such

as abca in Figure 5.8, the equation becomes a
closed contour integral
(5.12)
which is called the circulation of A around L.

Figure 5.8 Path of

integration of vector field A.
(5.13)
Figure 5.9 The flux of a vector

field A through surface S.
For a closed surface (defining a volume) equation 5.13

becomes
(5.14)
which is referred to as the net outward flux of A from S.

Notice that a closed path defines an open surface whereas
a closed surface defines a volume. (see Figures 5.11
and 5.16)
(5.15)
5.4 Examples
Example 5.2 Given that

calculate the circulation of F around the (closed) path
shown in Figure 5.10.
Figure 5.10 For example 5.2

5.4 Examples
Solution The circulation of F around path L is given by
where the path is broken into segments numbered 1 to 4

as shown in Figure 5.10.
For segment 1, y = 0 = z
5.4 Examples
5.5 Del Operator
5.5 Del Operator
The operator is useful in defining

5.5 Del Operator
A. Del Operator in Cartesian coordinate

(5.16)
B. Del Operator in Cylindrical coordinate
(5.17)
C. Del Operator in Spherical coordinate

(5.18)
5.5 Gradient of a Scalar
The gradient of a scalar field V is a

vector that represents both the magnitude
and the direction of the maximum space
rate of increase of V.
5.5 Gradient of a Scalar (V)
A. Cartesian coordinate
(5.19)
B. Cylindrical coordinate
(5.20)
C. Spherical coordinate
(5.21)
The following computation formulas on gradient

should be noted:
(5.22)
(5.23)
(5.24)
(5.25)
where U and V are scalars and n is an integer.

Example 5.3 Find the gradient of the

following scalar fields:
Solution:
5.5 Divergence of a Vector
The divergence of A at a given point P is the

outward flux per unit volume as the volume
shrinks about P.
(5.26)
Example 5.4 Determine the divergence of

these vector fields:
Solution:
5.5 Curl of a Vector
The curl of A is an axial (or rotational)

vector whose magnitude is the maximum
circulation of A per unit area as the area
tends to zero and whose direction is the
normal direction of the area when the area is
oriented so as to make the circulation
maximum.
(5.27)
A. Cartesian Coordinate
(5.28)
or
(5.29)
B. Cylindrical Coordinate
(5.30)
or
(5.31)
C. Spherical Coordinate
(5.32)
or
(5.33)
Example 5.5 Determine the curl of these

vector fields:
Solution:
5.5 Laplacian of a Vector
A. Cartesian Coordinate
(5.34)
or
(5.35)
B. Cylindrical Coordinate
(5.30)
C. Spherical Coordinate
(5.31)
Example 5.6 Find the Laplacian of the

following scalar fields:
Solution:
Thank You

Chapter 5 Vector Calculus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 5 Vector Calculus

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 5 Vector Calculus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 5

Vector Calculus, also known as vector

Differential elements in length,

Figure 5.1 Differential elements in the

2. Differential normal area is given by

and illustrated in Figure 5.2

Figure 5.2 Differential normal areas in Cartesian coordinates:

3. Differential volume is given by

The way dS is defined important. The

where dS is the area of the surface element and

Figure 5.3 Differential elements in

(2) Differential normal area is given by and

Figure 5.4 Differential normal areas in cylindrical coordinates.

(3) The differential volume is given by

Figure 5.5 Differential elements

(2) The differential normal area is

and illustrated in Figure 5.6

(3) The differential volume is

and illustrated in Figure 5.6

Figure 5.6 Differential normal areas in

Example 5.1 Consider the object shown in Figure 5.7.

Figure 5.7 For Example 5.1

Solution: Although points A, B, C, and D are given in Cartesian

The familiar concept of integration will

as the line integral of A around L (see Figure 5.8)

If the path of integration is a closed curve such

which is called the circulation of A around L.

Figure 5.8 Path of

Figure 5.9 The flux of a vector

For a closed surface (defining a volume) equation 5.13

which is referred to as the net outward flux of A from S.

Example 5.2 Given that

Figure 5.10 For example 5.2

Solution The circulation of F around path L is given by

where the path is broken into segments numbered 1 to 4

The operator is useful in defining

A. Del Operator in Cartesian coordinate

B. Del Operator in Cylindrical coordinate

C. Del Operator in Spherical coordinate

The gradient of a scalar field V is a

The following computation formulas on gradient

where U and V are scalars and n is an integer.

Example 5.3 Find the gradient of the

The divergence of A at a given point P is the

Example 5.4 Determine the divergence of

The curl of A is an axial (or rotational)

Example 5.5 Determine the curl of these

Example 5.6 Find the Laplacian of the

You might also like